Glucovance
(glyburide / metformin)
Lowers blood sugar.
Our bottom line
Glucovance (glyburide / metformin) is single-pill combination of two first-choice medicines for diabetes, but it can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
- Drug class: Endocrine
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (glyburide / metformin)
Upsides
- Combination works better than the sum of the individual components.
- May lower the level of certain blood fats (triglycerides and cholesterol).
- One of the few single-pill combination medicines that is available as a generic version
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What to expect from glyburide / metformin, on one page
Download Fact SheetDownsides
- More likely to cause hypoglycemia or low blood sugar than with other anti-diabetic medicines.
- Can cause upset stomach or diarrhea.
- Not a good option if you have bad kidneys or liver.
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What to expect from glyburide / metformin, on one page
Download Fact SheetGlucovance (glyburide / metformin) contains 2 anti-diabetic medicines. Glyburide stimulates your body to release more insulin, while metformin makes your body more sensitive to insulin.
- Drug class: Endocrine
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (glyburide / metformin)
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Get free discount
$27.84 - Medicine ShoppeGet free coupon$28.80
What to expect when you take Glucovance (glyburide / metformin) for Type 2 diabetes
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Stomach problems
- Diarrhea
- Upper respiratory infection
- Low blood sugar
- Headache
- Dizziness
Side effect rates for Glucovance (glyburide / metformin)
- Upper respiratory infection17%17%14%14%
- Diarrhea17%17%6%6%
- Headache9%9%11%11%
- Nausea and vomiting8%8%6%6%
- Abdominal pain7%7%4%4%
- Dizziness6%6%4%4%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of glyburide / metformin.
People taking glyburide / metformin felt side effect more
People taking glyburide / metformin felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Glucovance (glyburide / metformin)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Kidney problems
- › Liver problems
- › Congestive heart failure
- › Using contrast dye for procedures
- › Surgery
- › Alcohol use
Glucovance (glyburide / metformin) can cause lactic acidosis, a rare but life-threatening condition. You may have trouble breathing and be nauseas or vomit. This is a medical emergency and you should get help right away. This is more likely to happen if you have poor kidneys or was given contrast dye before an imaging procedure.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Common concerns from people taking Glucovance (glyburide / metformin)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- Try limiting the amount of alcohol you drink while taking this medicine.
- Take with meals to prevent upset stomach.
- Not a good option if you have bad kidneys or liver.